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SAN FRANCISCO - Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff capped off her U.S. tour on Wednesday with a visit to Silicon Valley, where she met with top technology executives and took a ride in Google Inc's self-driving car. | Video
Recent Technology News
CHICAGO - Visa Inc said on Wednesday it is joining MasterCard Inc and American Express Co in barring its credit cards from being used to pay for ads on Backpage.com following a request from a Chicago sheriff who said the site is used by sex traffickers.
- Playtech Plc, founded by Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, said it had agreed to buy currency trading platform Ava Trade for $105 million to expand its online trading platform.
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI - India is reinvigorating an $18 billion campaign to provide fast internet connections for all, with a "digital week" aimed at popularizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign promise to connect 250,000 villages in India by 2019.
DUESSELDORF/FRANKFURT - A German court reaffirmed on Wednesday that YouTube was only responsible for blocking copyright-infringing videos which had been brought to its attention, but the judicial panel said the Google video unit could do more to stop breaches.
MUNICH - BMW is open to building cars for other companies such as Google or Apple, the automaker's production chief said on Wednesday, adding that there are currently no such talks.
- Greece's Tsipras digs in against bailout
- Asia stocks rise for third day though Greece, China concerns weigh
- U.S. probing whether airlines collude to keep airfares high
- China stocks fall despite fresh policy support, Hong Kong up
- U.S. sues to stop Electrolux acquiring GE's appliance business
- PayPal to buy digital money transfer provider Xoom
- U.S. hiring seen solid in June, keeping September rate hike in play
- Strong truck, SUV demand helped Ford, GM raise prices in June |
- ArcelorMittal Mexico unit to slash 2,800 jobs


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Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized the pivotal role of electric motor vehicles in addressing environmental challenges linked to traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles.
He underscores the importance of their continued development and adoption in achieving a sustainable and cleaner future for transportation.
During his visit to BYD, one of the world’s largest electric motor vehicle manufacturing plants in Shenzhen, China, President Hichilema expressed Zambia’s commitment to collaborating with companies that can advance the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector within the country.
BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu affirmed his company’s readiness to establish a robust value chain for the electric car industry in Zambia. Mr. Wang cited Zambia’s stable business environment as a compelling reason to invest in the country.

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China urges Australia to treat all firms, including TikTok fairly
Beijing: China said Australia’s “discriminatory” ban on TikTok from all federal government-owned devices harmed the interests of Australian businesses and the public, urging Canberra to treat all firms fairly, a commerce ministry statement said on Friday.
“Australia treated TikTok differently from other social media platforms and adopted discriminatory restrictive measures, which are not conducive to maintaining Australia’s national security,” the statement said.
China also urged Australia to create a favourable environment for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
(Reporting by Ellen Zhang, Judy Hua and Liz Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content.
Also read: Vietnam to probe TikTok over “toxic” content


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When we learned about CBS’s plans to launch a new streaming sports channel back in August, there weren’t too many details. However, we’re beginning to learn more about CBS’s plans. At the Next TV Summit in New York, CBS Interactive president and COO Marc Debevoise said the new service will a mixture of sports news and talk. There won’t be any live sports events.
Debevoise said the service will launch “soon.” CBS already has two streaming services – All Access, which provides not just the linear television network, but also local affiliates’ content plus some original content, and CBSN, which is a standalone news service.
Debevoise said while most sports streaming services include live games, CBS’s will not:
“We do believe there is a big play in sports news, and how you get your information about sports in and on these devices, from a brand like ours.”
ESPN is planning a standalone streaming service of its own and it will consist of live events that normally doesn’t appear on the network. As mentioned earlier, CBS’s service won’t be dependent on live games.
As with CBSN, the new CBS Sports streaming channel will be ad-driven and be part of the CBSN infrastructure at the outset.


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And since then, we've helped empower hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, giving them a boost to launch thousands of new businesses and initiatives. Here in Africa, our Young African Leaders Initiative is empowering tens of thousands of dynamic leaders not only in business, but also in government and civil society. Because one of the things that we have come to understand -- and this is particularly relevant to Africa - is that in order to create successful entrepreneurs, the government also has a role in creating the transparency, and the rule of law, and the ease of doing business, and the anti-corruption agenda that creates a platform for people to succeed.
So this is our first Global Entrepreneurship Summit in sub-Saharan Africa. We wanted to come here. I wanted to be here because Africa is on the move. Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions of the world. People are being lifted out of poverty. Incomes are up. The middle class is growing. And young people like you are harnessing technology to change the way Africa is doing business, as President Kenyatta alluded to. And that creates incredible opportunities for Africans and for the world. It means more growth and trade that creates jobs in all our countries. It's good for all of us. This continent needs to be a future hub of global growth, not just African growth.
And the country that's hosting us today is setting an important example –
Kenya is leading the way. Today, Kenya is the largest economy in East Africa. High- speed broadband and mobile connectivity are on the rise, unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit of even more Kenyans. Every day around the world, millions of people send and save money with M-Pesa -- and it's a great idea that started here in Kenya.
From Zimbabwe to Bangladesh, citizens work to keep elections safe, using the crowdsourcing platform Ushahidi -- and that's a great idea that started right here in Kenya. Here in Nairobi, startup incubators are nurturing new businesses every day -- maybe some of yours -- each with the potential to be the great And the good news is that I'm not the only one who sees the promise of Africa. I'm joined on this trip by some leaders not just across my administration, but I'm also joined by 20 members of the United States Congress from both parties -
- because supporting a strong partnership with Africa is something that unites Americans. We've got some incredible entrepreneurs and business leaders who are well- established from the United States who are with us. They see the promise, as well.
And they're putting their money where their mouth is.
So today, we're taking the next steps to partner with you. First, we're offering entrepreneurs more startup capital. At last year's Entrepreneurship Summit, we set a goal of generating
$1 billion in new investment for emerging entrepreneurs around the world, with half the money going to support women and young people. A few months ago, I challenged governments, companies, organizations and individuals to help us reach this target. Today, I am proud to announce that not only did we make our goal, we surpassed it. We've secured more than $1 billion in new commitments from banks, foundations, philanthropists, all to support entrepreneurs like you.
Second, we're connecting you with the world's top business leaders and innovators. We hand-picked more than 200 seasoned investors and entrepreneurs and brought them to this summit. I've even brought a few of my presidential ambassadors for entrepreneurship. These are some of America's leading innovators and entrepreneurs. So if you see them, don't be shy. Pin them down. Get their advice.
Pitch them your idea. That's why they're here. And don't be discouraged if they say, I'm not sure that's going to work, and they ask you tough questions. Because one of the things every one of these successful entrepreneurs will tell you is that along with incredible successes, they've had some failures as well, and they've learned from them, but they haven't given up.
Number three, as I've said, we're stepping it up to support women entrepreneurs. Women are powerhouse entrepreneurs. The research shows that when women entrepreneurs succeed, they drive economic growth and invest more back into their families and communities. We've already helped build a network of more than 1,600 women entrepreneurs across Africa. We're launching three women's entrepreneurial centers -- one in Zambia, one opening later this year here in Nairobi -- and I'm proud to announce that the third center will be located in Mali. We've got some folks from Mali in the house.
And as part of that $1 billion that I mentioned earlier, the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation is contributing $100 million to support Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Women initiative, making more capital available to women-owned enterprises around the world. So, congratulations.
So as you leave here today, I want you all to know that I believe in you. I believe that you have the drive and the passion to change the world. You can unlock new solutions to the pressing global challenges that we face. I believe that. I believe that as you make these innovations, you'll make life better for all of us. And I'm looking forward to being your partner in that process.


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Ani Istanboulian returns her Hertz rental in “perfect” condition, but three weeks later, she gets a call from the company and a bill for $428. What happened? “A $428 bill for damage I didn’t do? Come on, Hertz”
Brian Davidson receives a mysterious repair bill from Alamo after renting a car. Is this a real bill — or a scam?
“Is this car rental repair bill a scam?”
Shawna Amella gets a bill from Hertz more than a year after her rental, even though the car she damaged has already been fixed. Does she still have to pay?
“Do I have to pay this late car rental damage claim?”
How bad is the car rental ding-and-dent scam? I’m glad you asked.
““I’m lucky that I didn’t end up in jail””
Frivolous car rental damage claims are a hot topic. Not a day seems to go by that I don’t hear from someone complaining about a bogus repair bill from a car rental company.
But there’s another side to the story that’s easily overlooked: the car rental company’s side. So I asked Randy Harris, president of Khoury Alternative Claims Management, a subrogation management company based in San Antonio, Tex., for his take on the issue. Here’s our interview.
“I didn’t do it! Subrogation company says 10 percent of damage claims are disputed by renters”


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A Bảo Tín Minh Châu Jewellery and Gemstone Company store. Though gold prices have declined in the first week of September, it is still forecast to remain uncertain in the remaining period of the year. — Photo btmc.vn
HÀ NỘI — Gold prices right now are showing signs of decline, and experts warning the future forecast for the precious metal is unpredictable at best.
Trần Thanh Hải, chairman of the Vietnam Gold Investment and Trading Corporation, said it was not easy for short-term traders to earn profit from gold trading right now.
Those who are seeing good results are traders who bought gold when the price was between VNĐ35-37 million a tael (VNĐ26.25-27.75 million an ounce).
Ending the first week of September, selling prices on Friday ranged from between VNĐ42.23 million (US$1,815.89) and VNĐ42.47 million a tael at the two largest gold trading firm Bảo Tín Minh Châu and SJC.
The price levels were down about VNĐ500,000 ($21.5) from those recorded on August 30 – the last trading day that month.
On international markets, gold dropped 0.83 per cent on Friday to trade at $1,512.80 an ounce.
In the last three months, domestic gold prices had surged but trading had gone quiet, business insiders said.
The number of buyers was almost unchanged in the first week of September compared to the previous week, they said.
People sold more than they bought, forcing gold companies to lower their buying prices to prevent selling, they added.
Banking experts said that gold was no longer an attractive investment, especially when commercial banks were offering high saving interest rates – which is considered safer and more profitable at the moment than gold.
As a result, banks are not paying attention to buying gold, leading to the decline of gold traders and investors at the bank, according to the experts.
Sales of gold and gold products in the last two months were up only 1-2 per cent compared to the previous period, Nguyễn Hoàng Minh, deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam’s HCM City branch, told local media.
The modest increase indicated demand was growing slowly despite strong gains in both domestic and international markets, he said.
“Financial institutions have suspended gold lending and borrowing for years,” Minh said.
“The amount of gold available for lending is quite negligible. The central bank’s HCM City office has kept up with the movement of gold prices to deliver proper responses but actual demand and sales of gold and gold products are quite weak.”
In the remaining months of the year, international gold prices might not reach $2,000 an ounce while it might continue falling in a short period before going again in medium and long terms, investment consultant Phan Dũng Khánh at Maybank Kim Eng Securities Co said.
Gold might move between $1,500-1,600 an ounce or VNĐ42-45 million per tael. It was unlikely that gold would soar in the remaining period of the year, he said.
But the future movement of gold prices was still uncertain, analysts have said. Investors should not jump in the gold market at the moment especially if they had not kept a close watch on the gold prices. — VNS


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2007 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible concept
Earlier this year, common wisdom was that the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible had been canceled, or at least delayed indefinitely. Then word came in May that the car would see launch in the first quarter of 2011. Now that has been updated to the second quarter of 2011, but it's officially confirmed by General Motors as headed to production.
The financial troubles at GM had put the car in jeopardy, but now that the New GM is on its own two feet - with help from the government, of course - the company is moving ahead with production. The news comes by way of a special GM event being held this morning in Detroit, where HGM's own Marty Padgett is soaking up the details.
Despite the slightly-later-than-hoped-for release date, fans of the Camaro and convertibles in general will be glad to hear the American drop-top is officially going to see the light of day. Ever since its concept debut in 2007, the car's classic lines and modern touch have inspired desire in many a gearhead's fantasy garage. Now that fantasy can become a reality, and will for many.
Stay tuned for more news out of the GM event as it breaks.
Cruise the High Gear Media network! TheCarConnection for experts reviews of every new vehicle; MotorAuthority for luxury and performance-car news, reviews, and spy shots; GreenCarReports for news and reviews of the latest earth-friendly cars; CelebsandCars to see how the stars roll.


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CHICAGO -- According to a company spokeswoman, Philip Morris USA cut wholesale discounts on its best-selling Marlboro cigarettes and three other brands, effectively raising prices for the first time in more than two and a half years, reported Reuters.
Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc., told wholesalers on Thursday it would reduce its "off-invoice" discounts to $5.50 a carton from $6.50, a move that will effectively raise prices by 10 cents per pack on Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Basic and Parliament cigarettes, analysts said in research reports.
"By finally increasing its prices, Philip Morris has signaled that it has confidence in the improving U.S. fundamentals," said Bonnie Herzog, analyst at Smith Barney.
The change, effective for shipments on Dec. 12, had been anticipated, and Altria shares dipped less than 1 percent in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
The price gap between premium and deep-discount brands has been stable at between 44 percent and 48 percent for the past several quarters, Robert Campagnino, analyst at Prudential, said in a research report.
Analysts saw the announcement by Philip Morris as a positive sign for the entire tobacco industry.
Campagnino raised his target price on Lorillard Tobacco parent company Carolina Group's stock to $32 from $30 and on Reynolds American to $74 from $71. "We interpret it as a lessening of competitive pressures in the tobacco industry," the analyst said.


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Equinox to Open its First LES Gym Next Spring
The Equinox showroom has been in full sales mode for five months. Occupying the rear third of the former American Apparel space at East Houston and Orchard Streets. It’s pretty much a soulless retail footprint, with plenty of bright eye candy, corporate street art, and pretty people milling about.
Sole purpose is netting new members for the gym at Ben Shaoul’s forthcoming condo-plex just across the street. And now comes word about tentative opening date. The Equinox will bow sometime “this spring” (i.e. spring 2018) according to several handbills posted in the area, which advertise a 15%-off promotion.
As previously reported, this 30,000 square-foot Equinox outpost is the first for the Lower East Side. The gym is three levels: first floor includes reception, lounge, and Juice Press station, while the second and third floors boast several exercise areas, including yoga and cycling studios. Equinox reportedly anticipates between 6,000 and 7,000 members to join here.


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Ultium Cells LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors, is inching closer to bringing its plant in Lordstown, Ohio online. The nearly 3 million-square-foot battery cell manufacturing facility is part of a joint venture with LG Chem.
As the company readies the plant, they are seeking 1,100 new employees including key positions to execute the set up and launch of battery cell manufacturing. Those key positions are open to applicants now with applications for other positions coming down the line. Job seekers can apply for positions on the Ultium Cells LLC website.
When the factory is complete, it will look like this rendering.Photo courtesy of General Motors
“We are excited to share our vision of an all-electric future as we begin adding members to our highly-technical battery cell manufacturing team,” said Thomas Gallagher, plant director, Ultium Cells LLC. “This facility will lead us into a new era of manufacturing and sustainability as we push toward a zero-emissions future. We are very grateful for the Lordstown community’s continued support.”
The new factory, on the same campus as the old Lordstown Assembly plant and next door to Lordstown Motors HQ is part of a $2.3 billion investment. The new plant is the size of 30 football fields and will have an annual capacity of more than 30 gigawatt hours and room for expansion.
“We want to put everyone in an EV,” said Ken Morris, GM vice president of Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs. “The Ultium propulsion system allows us to provide customers with exactly what they want – whether it be a car, truck or SUV. Our joint venture with LG Chem is exciting because we’re working together to drive down battery cell costs to accelerate EV adoption.”
In addition to supplying batteries for GM’s future electric vehicles, the mass-production of battery cells is expected to drive cell costs below $100 per kilowatt-hour at full volume according to GM estimates. This is in part because Ultium batteries are expected to have some of the highest nickel and lowest cobalt content in a large format pouch cell.
The Ultium battery is the power of the new GM vehicle architecture strategy. It will supply energy to the just-introduced GMC Hummer EV and the future Cadillac Lyriq SUV.


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Libra Updates Its White Paper in Hopes of Regulatory Approval
Recently, Facebook’s (FB) Libra project has revamped its white paper in an attempt to alleviate the concerns that many regulatory bodies have expressed. Some of these concerns include fears that the new currency could threaten the United States Dollars’ global supremacy, the privacy of Libra’s users, and whether or not Libra should be considered a security.
Though the crypto project has seen an overhaul in certain aspects, policymakers skepticism remains. Democrat Rep. Sylvia Garcia from Texas, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, believes that these changes enacted by the Libra association are not significant enough and that Libra’s digitized currencies and its users would still be subject to the Libra Associations decisions, an independent organization that has control over Libra’s private and permissioned blockchain. The Association comprises large companies across a number of different industries including Facebook, Andreessen Horowitz, Coinbase, Lyft (LYFT), and Shopify (SHOP). Garcia thinks that Libra’s nature makes it fall under the SEC’s jurisdiction.
Libra’s initial release aimed to build a single cryptocurrency along with a wallet that could be used alongside or entirely integrated into, social media platforms, like the ones Facebook owns. Facebook, and the Libra Association as a whole, looked to facilitate a way for the unbanked people of the world, which there are nearly 2 billion of, to be able to participate in the world’s economy and be able to transfer value without the use of middlemen like banks. This would eliminate fees from banks, making it significantly cheaper than the banking system, and it would also eliminate the time it takes to transfer money under the current banking systems in place. The idea behind the plan, and many other crypto initiatives, is to make financial security and autonomy possible with even the cheapest smartphone on the market.
Policymakers did not take kindly to the plan for a number of reasons. According to Statista, a provider of market and consumer data, Facebook has nearly 2.5 billion users. Facebook also owns other massive social apps including WhatsApp with 2 billion users, Facebook Messenger with 1.3 billion users, and Instagram with 1 billion users. We can assume that some of these numbers may overlap with each other, as many people may use more than one of these apps. We may also be able to assume that much of the unbanked world likely do not use these apps as access to technology is limited in certain areas.
The creation of Libra and its wallet Calibra, which was planned to be integrated and usable within each of Facebook’s apps, could theoretically introduce up to 2 billion more people onto Facebook’s user base if Libra were to see mass adoption as smartphones become cheaper and internet access becomes more widespread. There is an obvious cause for concern when this system is being created and built by a company whose privacy of its users has not been a priority in the past, which was made evident by the Cambridge Analytica scandal of 2018 as well a numerous lawsuits regarding misuse of user data.
This fear of data harvesting and privacy, the uncertainty of the level of centralization Libra’s permissioned blockchain and its association will have, and how it will affect the current banking system are all things that need to be carefully considered before allowing Facebook to continue with the project. With something like Bitcoin, you can at least make the argument that no sole entity has control, and therefore the direction of Bitcoins network and its rules, is entirely at the will of all of Bitcoins users.
How Libra’s White Paper Was Changed
To mitigate these concerns, Libra changed four key areas of its system. First, it has now added several stablecoins of leading fiat currencies, in addition to its Libra multi-currency coin. This addition is an attempt to address regulatory concerns over Libra’s potential to disrupt local monetary policies and take supremacy away from those local fiat currencies.
The white paper reads: “A key concern that was shared was the potential for the multi-currency Libra Coin (≋LBR) to interfere with monetary sovereignty and monetary policy if the network reaches a significant scale in a country (i.e., ≋LBR becomes a substitute for domestic currency). While we believe this is unlikely because ≋LBR introduces foreign exchange exposure for coin holders in domestic transactions and the use of ≋LBR may be subject to restrictions, such as foreign exchange controls, we take this concern seriously.”
Libra hopes that the addition of several stablecoins, and the ongoing incorporation of more stablecoins for more local currencies over time, will help to alleviate some concerns.
Second, the creation of a compliance network to enhance the system’s safety. Libra says it will create it will increase its safety in a variety of ways. The Association aims to create a “comprehensive Compliance Program.” This will include “building Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), sanctions compliance mechanisms, and mechanisms for the prevention of illicit activities to effectively address threats and risks”
Third, a move away from its initial plan to have a permissionless blockchain, a system that is open and public to anyone or anything that wants to join, and instead, moving towards a permissioned system. Libra’s new white paper explains this decision:
“Regulators raised thoughtful questions about the perimeter of control for the Libra network — in particular, the need to guard against unknown participants taking control of the system and removing key compliance provisions. We believe it is possible to replicate the key economic properties of a permissionless system through an open, transparent, and competitive market for network services and governance, all while incorporating the robust due diligence of Members and validators that is inherent to a permissioned system.”
Fourth, the “building of strong protections into the design of the Libra Reserve.” The addition of further protections of the system’s users was highlighted by regulators. Much of this fourth segment ties into Libra’s attempt to avoid uprooting existing fiat and sovereign financial systems. The Association hopes that by adding in stablecoins, people will default to the single-currency stablecoin for their domestic currency and that its multi-coin currency, Libra, will be used as an intermediary and utility between two transactions of different stablecoins.
While it’s good that Libra is trying to take regulators’ concerns seriously, there are some questions on whether or not it missed the mark. A major concern is the systems move toward a permissioned blockchain rather than a permissionless system.
Is Libra Actually Better Now?
Permissioned blockchains are private and only allow those who fit the system’s set criteria to join the network. Libra’s new white paper says that it has gone this direction due to regulatory concern over Libra’s ability to defend against bad actors or those who may try to attack the system. While a permissioned system will allow nations and the companies involved to have more control, it is inherently more prone to attack as there is one single entity that has control over who is allowed to join this system and how the system runs. That one entity’s collapse would be the demise of the whole network. In a permissionless system, there is no central authority to decide who can and cannot join the network. It is entirely indifferent to the user’s opinions, ethnicity, creed, religion, or whether or not the user is of good moral principle. For better or worse. This means there is no single point of failure that could take the whole network down.
Permissioned blockchains also come with ethical and moral concerns. We know that the Association is made up of large corporations with a variety of interests. For example, should certain activist groups such as Wikileaks be allowed to make transactions on the Libra network? Should gay rights activists the United Arab Emirates be allowed to have accounts and make transactions? With the direction of Libra being in the hands of the association and regulators, the real implications about who can use the system and who cannot are still unclear.
Another concern, and potentially equally or even more threatening than this centralized system it is proposing, are the privacy ramifications. As addressed prior, Facebook has its hands on billions of people’s private data. As we know already, Facebook has mistreated its user data in the past. Other members of Libra’s Association have been subject to massive data breaches of customer information as well. Association member Uber was ordered to pay $148 million dollars after it was revealed that Uber tried to cover up a breach of 57 million of its user’s data in 2016.
Libra’s attempts to appease regulators with these changes may be enough to allow them to continue its project. The permissioned system is one that nations and regulators will be able to control and for that reason, it is far more tolerable for governments, but it may come at a price for the individual in terms of privacy and financial autonomy. At the end of the day the products that dominate the market, whether it is the best car or the best way to store value and make transactions, are decided by the consumer. The consumer must decide if the Libra Associations’ new proposal is truly the best way of storing money and making transactions.


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Paraffection acquired Causse from husband-and-wife partners Manuel Rubio and Nadine Carel, who took over the business in 2003. Rubio is to remain managing director of the firm, and Carel continues as artistic director.
Olivier Causse, a member of the fourth generation of the founding family, is the director of production.
Causse makes gloves under its own name and also produces for brands including Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Chanel. Indeed, Chanel’s couturier Karl Lagerfeld is one of Causse’s most famous clients and champions, his busy hands perpetually sheathed in fingerless styles made of butter-soft leather.
Causse operates a boutique at 12 Rue de Castiglione in Paris, and an online store.
The acquisition brings to nine the number of specialty ateliers in Paraffection. The others are embroidery firm Montex, the embroider Maison Lesage, gold and silversmith Goosens, shoemaker Massaro, hat maker A. Michel, feather house Lemarié, button specialist Desrues and flower house Guillet.
Pavlovsky said each of the specialty ateliers is logging growth and adding employment.
He noted that gloves have become a more important component of Chanel collections over the past decade. “It’s more and more an important part of the silhouette,” he said.
In 2002, Lagerfeld and Chanel introduced a new pre-fall collection titled Metiers d’art, a ready-to-wear range embellished by the specialty ateliers.
In honor the @CFDA’s announcement of @iamnaomicampbell receiving the Fashion Icon Award at the 2018 #CFDAAwards, which will take place on June 4, here’s a #tbt of the supermodel on @michaelkors’ runway in 1991. #wwdfashion #wwdarchive (📷: George Chinsee)
“I was making the guacamole when my scout saw me,” says model @stuckinteenage on being discovered just six months ago while working at @chipotlemexicangrill. Since then Williams has signed with @dnamodels, walked in her first show at @calvinklein and landed on the cover of @vogueitalia – a high point of any model’s career. To read @lisajlockwood’s full interview with the model on her experiences thus far, head to WWD.com – link in bio. (📷: George Chinsee)
“I love the idea of dialogue, period. It’s where I’ve always gotten my inspiration from: hearing other women speak, their journeys and their paths,” said @hereisgina, who delivered the keynote speech during @sxsw for @createcultivate in partnership with @fossil. For her two panels, Rodriguez chose female empowering, female-led and female entrepreneurs to focus on. Head to WWD.com to read more about her thoughts on Time’s Up, growing up in a family of women and why we “need a girls’ club.” #wwdeye #sxsw (📷: @jgreenery)
Leading luxury brand are shaking things up to keep up with streetwear. Case in point: the arrival of @mrkimjones as artistic director of @diorhomme. Jones, who succeeds @Kris_Van_Assche, is seen as one of the handful of designers who can actually straddle the luxury and streetwear worlds — which could lead to even more changes at established brands. What could this mean for the rest of the menswear landscape? Head to WWD.com to find out what experts predict #wwdfashion (📷: @franckmura)
“It’s like buying groceries. You’re going to buy the best mango, the best mozzarella, the best things. You have to, or others are going to take it all,” said @gabrielahearst on why she uses only the finest fabrics. Last week, Hearst received her first @cfda nomination for Womenswear Designer of the Year, and earlier this month she opened a permanent showroom in Paris. To read @jessiredale’s interview with the designer and find out why this is shaping up to be a big year for her, head to WWD.com. #wwdfashion (📷: @francoisgoize)
“It’s an interesting thing, playing a younger version of your mother. It’s an interesting concept. I adore my mom and love her in every capacity, but it was just something that had never crossed my mind,” says @anniemstarke on playing a young Joan Castleman in “The Wife.” The same role will be played by her mother Glenn Close. Read more about her growing up in the film industry as the daughter of producer John H. Starke and Close and what she has planned for the future #wwdeye (📷: @nataliamantini)
@asics is launching a new streetwear sneaker inspired by its latest ambassador, @steveaoki. The Hyper-Kenzen x Aoki, which will launch at @footlocker stores exclusively tomorrow, is a slip-on style that incorporates the brand’s proprietary Gel technology through beads integrated into the midsole for comfort and endurance. Read the full story on WWD.com.


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The final Star Wars Battlefront DLC release is finally here and today we want to take a close look at the most important things to know about the Rogue One: Scarif DLC for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.
In the year since the Star Wars Battlefront release, EA DICE has released a number of free updates bringing bug fixes and new features to the popular game.
Today, the company released a brand new update and a brand new piece of Star Wars Battlefront DLC called Rogue One: Scarif.
As the title suggests, the Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One: Scarif DLC is based on the the upcoming Star Wars: Rogue One movie which is set for release in mid-December during the holidays.
As we push away from the DLC’s release there are a few things Star Wars Battlefront Season Pass holders and non-Season Pass holders need to know about the Battlefront Rogue One: Scarif DLC for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.
We’ll continue to update this roundup with new details as they become available so check back for frequent updates.
Battlefront Rogue One: Scarif DLC Release Date
Originally, EA DICE said that its fourth Star Wars Battlefront DLC would arrive in early 2017. That's changed. For everyone.
The Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One: Scarif DLC release date was released for Season Pass holders on December 6th, just a few days before the release of the Rogue One movie on December 16th. This release date is for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.
This is the release date isn't for everyone though. It's for those who've purchased the Star Wars Battlefront Season Pass holders. Everyone else will get access to the Rogue One: Scarif DLC two weeks from now in mid-December.
Amazon, and other retailers, are listing a December 20th release date for those who don't possess the Season Pass.


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Speakers and moderator:
- Professor Johanna Weaver, Director, Tech Policy Design Centre at the Australian National University
- Ming Tan, Founding Executive Director, Tech For Good Institute
- Keith Detros, Programme Manager, Tech For Good Institute
As Southeast Asia’s digital economy continues its impressive growth trajectory, the imperative to address accompanying challenges has become increasingly apparent. Among these challenges, digital inequality and the digital divide stand out, exacerbating existing social and economic disparities. Digitalisation tends to favour individuals with access, skills, and resources, leaving others at a distinct disadvantage.
Moreover, the spectre of cyber attacks and system vulnerabilities looms large, posing significant threats to profitability and eroding trust in digital systems. Simultaneously, digital transformation disrupts traditional workforces, necessitating a reevaluation of social protection and labour laws to accommodate job redefinition and displacement while introducing innovative work models.
The concerns extend beyond economic realms. The loss or theft of personal data raises serious concerns due to inadequate control and susceptibility to unauthorised use, such as identity theft or surveillance. Additionally, the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation threatens social cohesion, fostering polarised viewpoints and division within society, which in turn jeopardises regional security.
Furthermore, the environmental footprint of the digital economy cannot be overlooked. Increased carbon emissions, energy consumption, water usage, habitat loss, and e-waste generation contribute to ecological degradation.
Recognising the gravity of these challenges, governments across the region are starting to update regulations to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology.
Drawing insights from policymakers, business leaders, industry representatives, researchers, and academics, the recent research workshop on Tech Regulation in Southeast Asia provided a platform for conversations on the dynamic landscape of technology governance across the region. Participants discussed trends, challenges, and best practices in tech regulation across the region.
1. Tech regulation in Southeast Asia is characterised by a shifting landscape, with varying approaches and priorities among governments in the region.
As Southeast Asia’s digital economy continues to grow, experts and regulators are recognising the importance of adapting traditional regulatory approaches to the rapid pace of technological innovation. For example, the participants noted that:
- Indonesia is expanding government involvement in tech regulation due to the recognition of the global significance of digitalisation. This acknowledgement provides an opportunity for the government to realign its strategies accordingly.
- Singapore highlights a collaborative approach to governance of emerging technologies. This includes fostering coordination between industries and regulatory bodies to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. However, potential conflicts may arise, such as those involving the use of Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PET), which aim to enhance privacy but may inadvertently lead to issues.
- Thailand leverages regulatory impact assessments conducted by institutions like the Thai Development Research Institute (TDRI) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for insights and law drafting. Additionally, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) actively engages in international forums for collaboration and monitors online complaints to inform the development of new laws aimed at protecting users and consumers.
- Philippines does not have a centralised tech regulator, with various specialised agencies looking at different parts of the tech ecosystem. In some cases, ad-hoc engagements among regulators are done with the view of formalising arrangements with other regulatory bodies to keep pace with technological advancements.
2. There is a need to understand business models to draft laws to balance innovation with consumer protection.
Regulators play a critical role in shaping the legal landscape within which businesses operate. Emerging technologies often disrupt traditional business models, posing novel regulatory challenges. Therefore, regulators must grasp the diverse array of business models prevalent in today’s dynamic market to craft legislation that strikes the right balance between fostering innovation and protecting consumers.
3. Regulators are recognising that effective coordination between regulatory bodies and stakeholders is crucial, especially in response to the swift pace of technological progress.
The participants underscored the importance of inclusive discussions by emphasising the value of input from the private sector through both formal and informal channels to inform regulatory decisions. Experts also noted that close collaboration between regulators and Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs) emerges as a crucial strategy for responding to tech developments. While regulators focus on impact assessment and legislative processes, SROs can provide nimble and responsive guidelines tailored to industry needs. Streamlining SRO-guidelines with clear objectives and aligning them with regulatory considerations before enforcement can enhance regulatory effectiveness. However, it’s essential to note that the traditional process of amending or creating policies is often time-consuming, leading to challenges in keeping up with evolving technologies. Moving forward, the general consensus amongst participants is that it is imperative for various stakeholders across tech governance, including governments, businesses, and civil society, to collaborate closely to ensure that regulatory measures keep pace with the evolving tech landscape, ultimately driving sustainable growth and development in Southeast Asia.
4. Flexible regulatory frameworks are crucial to address challenges posed by emerging technologies.
To ensure regulatory agility, regulators must avoid myopic and outdated approaches to tech regulation. Instead, they should embrace innovative yet feasible methods such as flexible regulatory frameworks, crucial for addressing challenges posed by emerging technologies. For example, Singapore’s approach to soft regulation, particularly its iterative updates to the Model AI Governance Framework, demonstrates the need for regulatory adaptability to accommodate innovations like GenAI. By implementing different tiers of soft regulation, starting with guidelines and evolving based on industry needs, regulatory bodies can establish baseline principles while remaining responsive to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. This approach enables regulators to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring effective governance within existing legal frameworks.
5. Proactive approaches are being embraced by governments across Southeast Asia in response to the challenges and opportunities brought about by the digital economy.
Experts highlighted that the SEA-6 are actively tapping into the potential of emerging technologies while ensuring that regulatory frameworks evolve to keep pace with advancements. For example, Malaysia is observed to prioritise its digital economy agenda and restructuring government efforts to stay abreast of technological developments, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Similarly, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Informatics, KOMINFO, was highlighted as an example of inclusive policy making that reflected the needs of various stakeholders by engaging with varied stakeholders such as private sectors and associations. Initiatives such as AI Ethics demonstrate a concerted effort to strike a balance between fostering innovation and exercising regulatory caution, highlighting the importance of adapting policies to the ever-changing tech landscape.


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E3 is one of the gaming industry's biggest trade shows. We typically see the newest games, innovations and games that are currently still in development, but E3 2016 seems to be shaking up a little bit.
Another big company won't be making their presence known on the show floor; this time the company is Activision. In a recent blog post, they stated that they will be bringing exclusive gameplay for Infinity Ward's next ambitious Call of Duty game, which is currently being rumored as Ghosts 2. However, they won't be present on the show floor, allowing all of the attendees to not get any hands on time with Activision titles.
Here's what they had to say:
In June, we’re going to be at E3 showcasing gameplay from Infinity Ward’s ambitious new game. We’re looking forward to sharing exciting new details about the next great Call of Duty game in partnership with our friends at PlayStation. We’re proud to be participating in this premier video game event but won’t have an Activision booth on the show floor.We’re also going to be celebrating the community this fall at the Call of Duty Championship, marking the epic conclusion of the first season of the Call of Duty World League, and holding a major community event that will give fans special insight and access to the world of Call of Duty.We have an exciting year ahead and have some great stuff planned that we can’t wait to share with you. Don’t be surprised to find us in some other unexpected places as well.
Electronic Arts (EA) has also announced plans to host hosting its own event prior to E3, in Los Angeles, California and London. Unlike E3, the EA Play event will allow fans to test out some of EA's biggest games (traditionally E3 does not allow fans, only industry workers and press). Of course, EA will still have some presence at E3 2016 to allow the press to get their hands on their games.


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The ups and downs of Apple’s revenue, earnings, iPhone sales, services and revenue from greater China.
Revenue and earnings beat expectations, and given that the same quarter last year had an extra week, year-over-year comparisons weren't at all bad. iPhone unit sales missed Wall Street's consensus, but iPhone revenue beat the Street, up 13% (22% per week.
There was no hint of a "super cycle" in Apple's March quarter guidance, which came in several billion below the Street. Whether the iPhone X supply chain cuts were as deep as rumored remains to be seen.
Apple's share price, which trailed the market all quarter—and gave up 7% in the past two weeks—held its breath after the market closed. Then, as the conference call progressed, it picked up about 3.25%. Did I hear CFO Luca Maestri correctly that Apple plans to eventually return all its net cash—currently $163 billion—to long-term shareholders? That would please the Street.
Below: The results in five easy, clickable charts.
Note: Q1 '17 included a one-time $640 million windfall.
Not seeing the fancy graphics? Try the website.
Apple’s conference call with analysts began shortly at 5 pm ET. Transcript via Six Colors here.
From the press release:
“We’re thrilled to report the biggest quarter in Apple’s history, with broad-based growth that included the highest revenue ever from a new iPhone lineup. iPhone X surpassed our expectations and has been our top-selling iPhone every week since it shipped in November,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also achieved a significant milestone with our active installed base of devices reaching 1.3 billion in January. That’s an increase of 30 percent in just two years, which is a testament to the popularity of our products and the loyalty and satisfaction of our customers.”
Thanks to great operational and business performance, we achieved all-time record profitability during the quarter, with EPS up 16 percent,” said Luca Maestri, Apple’s CFO. “Cash flow from operations was very strong at $28.3 billion, and we returned $14.5 billion to investors through our capital return program.”
Apple is providing the following guidance for its fiscal 2018 second quarter:
• revenue between $60 billion and $62 billion
• gross margin between 38 percent and 38.5 percent
• operating expenses between $7.6 billion and $7.7 billion
• other income/(expense) of $300 million
• tax rate of approximately 15 percent
Apple’s board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.63 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on February 15, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 12, 2018.


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The second Hanoi Fashion Week 2011, "Color of life," is being held at the Pico Mall in the capital city.
The four-day event (Sep 16-19 ) features the latest collections by world famous brand names including NafNaf Paris, Axara Paris, fcuk and Valentino.
Products of top local brands like including Alcado, Genova, Xthu, PalmCao and Bella are also on show.
The event, featuring top local models, aims to promote the local fashion industry as part of the Nguoi Viet dung hang Viet (Vietnamese use Vietnamese products) campaign.
The event is being broadcast on VTV4, STYLE-TV, TVM, and HN1.


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Arcade1Up announced a few new entries for its officially licensed arcade cabinet line this year at CES 2022. The new line includes completely new cabinets and special editions of previously existing cabinets. The biggest addition to its product line is a Killer Instinct “Pro Series” arcade cabinet.
Arcade1Up is a company dedicated to releasing affordable arcade units based on iconic cabinets from the classic era. It has launched various titles from beat em’ ups like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time to classics like Tron and NBA Jam, being hailed as a company that’s contributed to the revamping of retro gaming. CES showcased even more releases coming this year from 1Up.
The company revealed its new Pro Series brand of cabinets at CES, beginning with a Killer Instinct variation. This new cabinet features a new 19-inch LCD screen that provides a 5:4 arcade aspect ratio, upgraded Suzohapp buttons and joysticks, new speakers, and access to online multiplayer.
Killer Instinct isn’t the only game available to play on this new Pro Series cab. The machine comes packed with Killer Instinct 2, Battletoads Arcade, Battletoads 8-bit, and Battletoads 16-bit.
Along with the new Killer Instinct Pro Series unit, Arcade1Up announced a few other cabinets set to release this year. These arcades include the Atari Legacy Arcade Machine Centipede Edition, the Bandai Namco Legacy Arcade Machine Pac-Mania Edition, and the Midway Legacy Arcade Machine Mortal Kombat 30th Anniversary Edition.
You can find more about these upcoming arcade machines, as well as find a retailer for the cabinets near you, on the Arcade1Up website.
- Arcade1Up is resurrecting NFL Blitz and giving it online multiplayer
- Arcade1Up’s latest home arcade cabinets include Turtles in Time, X-Men, and more
- The best arcade cabinets


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By James Blackman
Software AG and SAP have announced a deal to offer the former’s TrendMiner industrial analytics software on the latter’s industrial cloud platform for Industry 4.0 operations. The pair said factories can use TrendMinder as a self-service tool to bring new insights to shop floor data in the SAP’s S/4HANA and Digital Manufacturing cloud platforms.
The software also integrates into various IoT stacks including Software AG’s Cumulocity IoT, to help predict and improve product quality in digital supply chain management, they said. TrendMiner is available on SAP Store, the digital marketplace for SAP and partner offerings.
A statement said: “The software helps enable operational experts in process and other industries to analyze, predict and optimize performance using sensor-generated time-series data. This helps companies turn digital supply chain data into a competitive advantage by predicting production quality.”
Chief product officer at Software AG, Stefan Sigg said: “With TrendMiner, Software AG helps companies to leverage their industrial data, from sensors to control systems to historians in order to unlock its value. TrendMiner puts advanced analytics into the hands of production experts to address day-to-day questions. With [this] partnership, we can help companies turn their supply chain and production data into competitive advantages and… become intelligent enterprises.”
President of SAP S/4HANA at SAP, Jan Gilg said: “We want our customers to benefit from the potential of Industry 4.0, where process and asset experts are empowered with advanced diagnostics to intuitively answer their day-to-day questions with the help of pattern recognition and machine learning technologies.”


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March 25, 2020
Greetings fellow Bizarros:
People are dealing with this coronavirus business in a lot of different ways. In Miami Beach the spring breakers are ignoring it and sweating the virus all over each other (resulting in several new infections so far), in Australia they are fighting each other over toilet paper, and in France one man decided to run a marathon. Unfortunately, with most of the country on lockdown he had to get creative in his attempt to complete the 26 mile race.
By the way, what was your priority when stocking up for the coronavirus pandemic? Food, water, toilet paper? Or something even more essential to you? click on the link and take our Bizarre News poll.
32-year-old Elisha Nochomovitz decided to get creative in his attempts to keep fit during the coronavirus lockdown in France.
Nochomovitz, who lives in the city of Toulouse, had signed up to run the Barcelona marathon on March 15, however the event was cancelled. Not wanting to waste his training, Nochomovitz ran the race anyway, just at home instead, completing the whole 26.2 mile race by running up and down his balcony.
"I had the opportunity to go out to run around outside the house, but the instructions were to stay home, that's what I did. Just to show you that we have no excuses."
It took him just under 7 hours to run the distance back and forth on his 23-foot-wide balcony. His girlfriend fed him M&Ms to keep going.
P.S. Bizarre News is now on Facebook. We're expanding our reach, to bring the strange and stupid news to you whenever you log on. Follow Bizarre News and join the group so you won't miss out on a single story. Click here to visit Bizarre News on Facebook
Questions? Comments? Email: firstname.lastname@example.org
Hoarders find they can't return toilet paper
Panicked hoarders who rushed into Costco to buy years-worth of toilet paper are finding themselves out of luck when it comes to the big-box store's typically generous return policy. Those who have regrets after realizing that COVID-19 isn't a 'pooping disease' were met with signs at various Costco locations informing them that they won't be able to return all that toilet paper, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, water, rice and lysol they bought in anticipation of a societal collapse. Meanwhile, Costco itself may have over-bought in anticipation of sustained demand with aisles and aisles full of paper goods just sitting on the shelves.
SOLD OUT Everywhere - Don't Panic, WE HAVE SANITIZER! (Shipping Now)
Some people just CANNOT wait to buy toilet paper
Something far more unusual than shortages happened in the toilet paper aisle of a Missouri Walmart store -- a customer gave birth. Jessica Hinkle, store manager at the Walmart store in Spingfield, said the woman's water broke in the toilet paper aisle of the store and the expectant mother warned employees her last child had been born after only 30 minutes of labor. Another customer who works as a labor nurse sprang into action and donned gloves she was carrying in her pocket while Hinkle and other workers alerted authorities and blocked off the aisle to give the woman some privacy. Springfield firefighters arrived in time to assist the nurse with the delivery and the mother and child were taken to a local hospital after the birth. Hinkle said customers clapped and cheered for the woman as she was being taken out of the store on a gurney.
Feel free to offer suggestions for the baby's name.
The reactors to the story who said "It serves her right for hoarding" must have a screw loose. 12-18 rolls of t.p. is a common single package amount at Walmart and I buy them all the time. Besides, keeping a well-stocked pantry as a matter of course means you're much less vulnerable to panic shopping when the inevitable snow storms, hurricanes, or sickness hysteria comes rolling through town. -Jenn
It's true - kids gotta love them, but eventually they destroy everything you own. They don't mean to, it just happens. -Mike
Gosh, Louis, since the corona virus hits the elderly hardest, it may solve our Social Security problem. Medicare too. Bte, I'm 73. -Duck
END OF READER COMMENTS


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Salvation Army Thrift Store shows off new expansion
PARKERSBURG — It’s been a bit more than a week since the Salvation Army Thrift Store reopened after an expansion and remodeling. So far, according to Major Matthew Riley, the Thrift Store is going to reap benefits.
“It was a grand day both in numbers and in sales,” he said about the reopening. “So far, the numbers in customers and sales are up. Now maybe that levels out in a while, but right now, the new look is meeting with approval.”
Part of the remodeling was “the knocking out of a wall between the store and the warehouse,” he said. “Doing that gave us an additional 600 square feet of room for merchandise. The entire shopping area received new laminate flooring; we renovated a bathroom and there is a new ceiling and lights were we expanded.”
Riley said the cost of the project was approximately $45,500. He said the project was paid for by a grant from the Baltimore headquarters and by a local anonymous donor.
“The expansion has allowed for more items on the floor and has allowed us to give customers more room in the aisles,” Riley said. “When the store was full of merchandise, it was hard to move around. Now it looks neater and cleaner. It’s been about 25-30 years since the last renovation.
“More traffic means more revenue,” he continued. “More revenue means we can serve more people.”
The Thrift Store closed two hours early March 28 and reopened April 1 with the grand reopening April 6.
“Right now we’re seeing people coming through the doors who we haven’t seen before,” he said.
“This renovation was long overdue. Customers need a nice place to shop. People who donate, customers who shop… those people help us keep the staff paid.
“Right now, we need a full-time truck driver to do pick-ups,” he said. “They just need a good license and pass a background check.”
Riley estimated approximately 100-120 people a day come through the doors at the Thrift Store, which has hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Donations can be left at any time under the shelter near the Thrift Store but Riley said donations are best left during business hours. “There’s no guarantee the donation will make it to the store floor if left outside overnight.”
There are a few items the Thrift Store won’t accept, according to Riley. “The store doesn’t accept mattresses, old televisions, stained couches, stained or ripped clothes,” he said. “We can’t even sell the stained or ripped clothes to a rags dealer. It costs us money when people drop off trash. It happens a lot.”
Riley stated as long as the kindness of the people of Parkersburg and the surrounding area continues to hold out, it’s good for all involved.
“My wife, Cathy, and I have been doing this for 30 years,” Riley said of the Salvation Army experience. “This is one of the most giving communities we’ve ever seen. If we continue to get the donations the way we are and keep the floors fat and full, we will be able to help more people.”


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Tether has just authorized the issuance of $150 million USDT on ethereum’s blockchain earlier today.
A fee of just $0.43 was paid to create $150 million worth of ERC-20 tokens with Tether’s market cap now rising to above $3.3 billion.Tether prints $150 million on ethereum, June 2019
“This is authorized but not issued,” Paolo Ardoino, Bitfinex CTO said, meaning “these tethers were created in the treasury wallet that will be used to full fill future issuance requests.”
Last time we looked, on May 26th 2019, Tether had printed $500 million eth based USDT in total, with about $45 million authorized, but not issued.
That $45 million has presumably been taken up, so they’ve now minted $150 million more, about a third of all previous eth USDT, for whoever wants them.
With that generally being China. According to a report by Diar, China accounts for more than 60% of tether’s volumes. They say:
“Data provided to Diar by blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis highlights the magnitude of Chinese Tether demand with over $16Bn received by exchanges based in that market in 2018. This year the number has already surpassed an outstanding $10Bn, setting the stage for the biggest year yet.”
It’s not clear whether anything can be read by the fact this was issued on eth rather than the bitcoin based omni which has far more tokens running on it:Tether stats, June 2019
There’s still $165 million to be taken up on bitcoin, while in eth it’s actually not very clear what that’s saying in light of Ardoino’s comment above.
The page itself shows eth USDT has grown from $500 million to $650 million with only about $3 million authorized, but not issued.
Whether someone has taken up this tether after Ardoino’s comment earlier today, is not clear, but apparently they issue tether on tron too and they even have 50 cent on eos.
Why do it over all these different blockchains, is not clear, but it may be they receive eth...


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Last I heard, Acer had introduce a gaming tablet from the Predator series, but now they seem to be preparing another product in the same range. Acer has apparently begun production of its first gaming tablet, that packs an Intel Atom Z8700 processor and an 8 inch screen.
The device is meant to be launched in Q3 or Q4 of this year and may or may not be linked to the Predator project. The gaming tablet is expected to get limited sales, but Acer wants to leave a mark on the gaming slate market. The demand for tablets has been dropping fast over the past year, as you probably know, due to the cannibalization of the big phablets.
The tablet market doesn’t feature many specialized gaming devices and I can think of the Nvidia Shield models, some Archos units and some “bigger PSP” wannabes from China. The Shield debuted in 2013 and has spawned a series of devices, received well by gamers, but also recently plagued by some bugs. Acer remains focused on Chromebooks, 2 in 1 devices and gaming products for the rest of 2015.


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ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — The old saying is that an apple a day keeps the doctor away … but what about for your mental health? New research shows how some foods may just be the ultimate mood booster.
This is not only fueling the body, but it’s also healing the mind.
Tara Collingwood, RDN, Registered Dietitian, Diet Diva says, “There’s certain foods that have been shown to be good for brain health and potentially affect mood.”
According to new research from a university in England, people who eat fruit more often reported greater positive mental wellbeing and are less likely to report symptoms of depression than those who do not. Another study in Australia found eating four to six different vegetables a day was associated with 24 percent to 42 percent lower risk of depression. And …
Collingwood explains, “Omega-3 fatty acids that are in fish could help to protect our brain.”
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found patients treated with omega-3’s had up to a 71 percent drop in depression … with foods to boost your mood. An apple a day.
The English study also found nutrient-poor sweet or savory snacks was associated with everyday mental lapses included forgetting where items had been placed, forgetting the purpose of going into certain rooms, and being unable to retrieve names of acquaintances. An apple a day
Contributors to this news report include: Milvionne Chery, Producer; Roque Correa.
AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE PSYCHIATRIST AWAY?
BACKGROUND: We are often told as children to eat what makes us the strongest. However, we often fail to consume the foods that make us happiest. Eating foods that make us feel better emotionally can help us move quicker and think clearer. It also helps with concentration and mindset. Consuming a deficient diet can lead to weariness, exhaustion, and debility. According to the American Dietetic Association, it is common for people to either overeat or undereat when they are stressed. Eating too much often results in feelings of tiredness and overstimulation. When undereating, irritability and exhaustion are common symptoms, and the behavior can become difficult to break. Poor diet during times of mental distress can become a brutal cycle that is difficult to overcome. Paying the most attention to how you feel while eating is the key ingredient to making sure you are indulging in a well-balanced diet. Being mindful of maintaining a regular grocery store routine, meal prepping, honoring hunger cues, and paying mind to where you eat can all help improve your relationship with the foods you are consuming.
THE STUDY: A study from Harvard University on fruits and vegetables showed that they are a key ingredient to a healthy diet and the varietal consumption is near as important as quantity all together. There is not a single fruit that can provide every nutrient needed to maintain a healthy diet. Variety is important to fruit and vegetable consumption. Maintaining a diet full of fruit can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease, prevent cancer, improve digestive tracks, and you feel full for longer periods of time. A new study from Aston University informs us that eating fruit daily can help protect you from experiencing depression. The study surveyed over 400 adults, recording their daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, and psychological health standings. According to the survey, the more people consumed fruit, the lower they scored for feeling depressed. Individuals who snacked on nutritionally empty foods, such as candy and salt, experienced elevated anxiety. It was inevitably proven that those who ate what made them happiest, while still including balance, felt the best emotionally.
NEW REGULATIONS: New findings in psychology offer the notion that what we eat, directly affects our mental state. Author Nicola-Janye Tuck and her team claim that nutrients have a firsthand impact on our cognitive process. They conducted a study to find whether diet influenced mental health from impact on cognition while also keeping note of fruit and vegetable utilization. Participants in the study recorded their nutrients intake and psychological health standings of the recent month, through an online survey. They then completed self-report cognitive questionnaires and Stop-Signal tasks to measure cognitive control. The results showed that consuming fruits had a positive impact on depression.
* For More Information, Contact:
Free weekly e-mail on Medical Breakthroughs from Ivanhoe. To sign up: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk


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Thanksgiving dinner can often be taken for granted. From the turkey and stuffing to the company of friends and loved ones, not everyone is so fortunate to have a steady plan every year. Souls Harbour Rescue Mission tries to give that stability to the underprivileged of Regina.
However, with four days until dinner preparations start, they’re a bit behind.
“We need a lot of donations to come in. We’re quite behind from where we wanted to be,” said Katrina Robinson, director of development with Souls Harbour. “We need like, 29 turkeys, we need 135 pounds (of) potatoes, 125 pounds (of) fall vegetables. We also need 430 warm up for winter mugs.
So it’s pretty tight,” said Robinson. The warm up mugs are travel mugs with hot chocolate packets, tea bags and hygiene products. Every guest gets a gift.
It might sound like a lot but consider this, Souls Harbour is expecting 750 guests for dinner, 150 more than last year.
Guests who attend include the homeless, working-poor, single-parents.
“They might have enough money to pay for rent, but not necessarily enough to pull off the big turkey dinner with pie … for many of them it’s become a family tradition. So it’s something they look forward to.”
The dinner also attracts seniors and those with no one to share a meal with.
“It’s really dignifying for people to share the holidays with others.”
For a full list of what Souls Harbour still needs visit www.shrmsk.com. Donations can be made in person at 1836 Halifax St. email@example.com @alecjsalloum
tap here to see other videos from our team.


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We knew that this year, more than ever, our popular seasonal program, executed in a safe and appropriate way, had the potential to bolster local business and employment opportunities in the region. But the community's response has exceeded even our expectations.
Participating restaurants are telling us that the influx of added diners has helped them recoup lost business, keep people employed and even hire more staff. Residents also have embraced the program's return as creating a sense of "normalcy" that is encouraging them to resume enjoying dining across Orlando in new and safe ways.
Extending Magical Dining — which offers $35, three-course meals at more than 70 of Orlando's finest restaurants — will also benefit this year's charity, Feed the Need Florida, which gets $1 from each meal served. So be sure to check out the many menu options and make your reservations today.
STUBBORN ABOUT SAFETY
As Visit Orlando's Magical Dining continues, participating restaurants are going above and beyond to protect their patrons' health and safety, and one example is the Stubborn Mule in Thornton Park. Prior to each guest's arrival, the restaurant sends a text message reminding them to wear face masks when entering. In addition, tables are social distanced with partitions, and guests are encouraged to view the menu using a QR Code.
"Visit Orlando's Magical Dining has been a lifeline to our restaurants as we struggle to get back to normal. The program has given us the opportunity to hire back more staff and experience hope that we will return to pre-COVID numbers." Brian Buttner, owner of The Stubborn Mule
School-cations in Orlando: As many American families add virtual schooling to parental work-from-home arrangements this fall, there is a newfound flexibility for traveling — and Orlando's resorts are offering a change in scenery with new creative options to facilitate school- and work-cations. Our publicity team compiled a list of several hotels and resorts offering these one-of-a-kind packages and has already received coverage in The New York Times, MSN and Travel + Leisure.
Connecting with Brazil: On Wednesday, our travel industry sales team shared how Visit Orlando is keeping the destination top of mind during a webinar panel discussion hosted by the Central Florida Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 300 business and tourism professionals also heard from the Brazilian consulate and APEX Brazil, a Brazilian trade and investment agency.
Hotel Metrics: Metro Orlando's occupancy rate for the week ending Sept. 19 was 29.9%, down from 31.6% the previous week. Average daily rate fell $7.11 to $79.14. Occupancy on Friday and Saturday nights (43.4%) continued the trend of significantly outperforming the rest of the week (24.6%). It's important to recognize that as we entered the traditional slower time of the year, and with more of our hotels open now, these occupancies would not reflect the overall increases we were experiencing earlier.
Local Air Travel: This week, Visit Orlando hosted a panel of experts from Orlando International Airport and Cambell-Hill Aviation Group to discuss the near-term impact of COVID-19, the challenges facing airline planners and expectations for recovery. View their discussion and browse our selection of archived webinars here.
Most destinations visited this summer for leisure trips had a mandatory mask regulation (80.1%), and 85% of travelers reported they always followed the usage regulations.
More than two thirds of Americans report having at least one tentative leisure trip planned from now until December 2021. Road trips will continue to outperform commercial air travel for the remainder of 2020.
Far fewer American travelers now say they expect to change the types of travel destinations they choose to visit post-pandemic (19.1%, down from 32.9% in August). Read more
HEALTH & SAFETY
Ending on a positive note, it was great to see such upbeat headlines this week (like this one) regarding Orange County's progress in fighting COVID-19. Let's keep up the good work, Orlando! We are Safer, Stronger, Together!


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August Monthly MAST Commentary: Delta not Enough to End the Winning Streak for Global Equities
Economic normalization has made substantial progress in North America when looking at economic activity as there remains very few restrictions on the economy.
July Monthly MAST Commentary: Falling Macro Uncertainty Lifts Global Equities
With expectations for strong growth building up in recent months, macro uncertainty and investors’ fear about the S&P 500 have normalized to near pre-COVID-19 levels.
June Monthly MAST Commentary: From Recovery to Expansion
Supply shortages are fueling inflation fears, but with global trade thriving, we think supply shortages are mostly driven by the consumption binge of U.S. consumers.
Positioning for Peak Growth and High Inflation
Two concerns are top of mind for investors: inflation overheating and peak economic growth.
New highs for S&P 500: Don’t be afraid of heights
As the global economy emerges from the pandemic, central banks are starting to reduce emergency stimulus.
April Monthly MAST Commentary: S&P 500 Above 4000 Despite Third-Wave Wobbles
Canadian growth expectations, like the U.S., are outperforming this year, which is benefiting earnings expectations.


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Micron Technology has made significant reductions to Capex and now expects fiscal 2023 Capex to be around $8 billion, down more than 30 percent year over year.
Boise, Idaho-based Micron said it would reduce wafer fabrication equipment investments by 50 percent in the new fiscal year.
Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said: “We are taking steps to reduce our supply growth including a nearly 50 percent wafer fab equipment Capex cut versus last year, and we expect to emerge from this downcycle well positioned to capitalize on the long-term demand for memory and storage.”
Micron revealed that its investments in capital expenditures were $3.58 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $11.98 billion for the full year of 2022.
Micron forecast strong revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2023 as demand starts to recover early next year.
Micron forecast first-quarter revenue of $4.25 billion, plus or minus $250 million. Adjusted revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 1 was $6.64 billion versus $8.64 billion for the prior quarter and $8.27 billion for the same period last year.
Profit outlooks were also grim at 4 cents per share, plus or minus 10 cents. Fourth-quarter earnings were $1.45 per share.
Micron reported fiscal 2022 revenue of $30.76 billion versus $27.71 billion for the prior year with net income of $8.69 billion, or $7.75 per diluted share.
Phone brands including Apple have driven down their production volume targets, which compounded the challenges for Micron, said Richard Barnett, chief marketing officer of Supplyframe, a supply chain solutions provider.
Micron has adjusted down its sales outlook for PCs and smartphones by several percentage points in the last few months, Sumit Sadana, Micron’s chief business officer, said. PC sales in calendar 2022 will drop by a high teen percentage range from last year and smartphone sales will be down by a high single-digit percentage range, he said.


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How MicroBank (Caixa Group) is supporting business and families in Spain
Access to credit is one of the main obstacles to growth faced by Spanish MSMEs, especially small companies which rely on bank financing but do not have access to guarantees or assets to be pledged as collateral. Don’t even talk about ongoing political turmoil. The pandemic outbreak before, and the Ukrainian war now, has stocked European industries, Spanish too, under the perfect storm. Not to mention the threat of the climate crisis and all its consequences in regard to economic and social matters.
In this framework, microcredit institutions are playing an important role in the creation and expansion of new businesses and support families. In Spain, MicroBank has created a new concept of microcredit, a real pioneer in Europe.
Microfinance in Europe, a quick view
Microfinance in general and microcredits in particular are undergoing a critical juncture as a result of the complexity of Europe’s socio-economic scenario. According to the report by the European Commission on Microfinance in the European Union: Market analysis and recommendations for delivery options in 2021-2027, Europe represents just 10% of the global microfinance portfolio, with one million active borrowers and disbursements.
However, it has become a growing sector of activity in Europe over the last years. It still carries an important growth potential, considering the impacts of the current low economic growth on disadvantaged and impoverished populations and the need to ensure their social and financial inclusion. In this framework, CaixaBank and its MicroBank has affirmed itself as a pioneer of microcredit solutions in Europe.
A social bank by CaixaBank
MicroBank is the social bank of the Spanish CaixaBank Group. Since 2007, the bank has been offering financial products and services that are tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises and families in order to promote personal development, social progress and financial inclusion. One of its core areas of activity is specifically the granting of microcredits to start-up or consolidate businesses, intended for the self-employed, entrepreneurs, and microenterprises.
MicroBank’s microcredits, however, are not exclusively intended for providing support to businesses. In fact, last year, the bulk of the social bank’s activity was connected to providing support to families with fewer resources and difficulties in accessing credit. “In 2022, the bank emphasized financing aimed at covering the specific needs of households with few resources as a result of rising energy prices and inflation in general”, said Cristina González, the general manager of MicroBank, to the media.
Actually, the bank focus on families with a combined income below 19,300 euros (3 times the public income index), on entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises (up to 9 employees and 2 million euros in turnover), and students and companies whose activities have a positive and measurable impact on society (education, innovation, social economy, etc.).
“In MicroBank’s 15-year history, we have adapted our activity to suit the characteristics of the economic and social context at any given time. In that regard, in the wake of the pandemic, the priority has been to support the needs of vulnerable families, without ever losing sight of the backing for entrepreneurs and funding for companies with a social impact,” added Cristina González.
Microloan for business. How does it work
One of MicroBank’s core products is the Business microcredit (loans of up to €25,000), a solution for entrepreneurs and microenterprises that need financing to start, consolidate or expand their business, or to meet working capital needs. However, as stated by the bank, MicroBank interest rates, such as those applied in a conventional loan, vary depending on the characteristics of each operation.
The maximum repayment period for the Business microcredit is six years, with an optional grace period of six months. As for the access requirements, these are: be a self-employed person or microenterprise with less than 10 workers and less than 2 million euros in turnover and to present a financially reliable business project.
A pioneer in Europe
Speaking in numbers, last year, CaixaBank's social bank issued 13,118 microloans worth €171 million to entrepreneurs, self-employed workers and micro-enterprises and its specific credit lines for social impact sectors contributed to the creation of 5,220 projects in Spain, with a total volume of €208 million. In addition, the bank has contributed to the creation of 293,000 direct jobs through support for entrepreneurs and 95,000 new businesses have been launched. In 15 years, MicroBank launched more than 1.2 million projects with a social impact in Spain, a very positive balance that translates into more than 8,000 million euros of financed sources.
Microbank has received European Autorities support too. Recently, the Council of Europe Development Bank approved a €100 million loan to MicroBank with the goal to support job creation and enhance social cohesion in Spain by facilitating access to financial resources for small businesses, microbusinesses and individuals with limited or no access to the traditional banking system.
So, what about the future? The bank forecasts to give up to 3,500 million euros in financing with a social impact in three years, both for families and entrepreneurs, which represents an increase of 36% over the period 2019-2021, stated MicroBank. The management expects to reach more than 400,000 beneficiaries.


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On Thursday, SF Express Holding announced that it suffered heavy financial losses in the first quarter of 2021. The financial report shows that its operating income reached 42.62 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.07%, while its net profit loss was 989 million yuan, down 209.01% year-on-year.
On April 9, SF Express predicted that the loss in the first quarter of 2021 would be 900 million to 1.1 billion yuan, which led to an apology from Wang Wei, the chairman and general manager of the company, at the annual shareholders’ meeting. “First of all, I need to make an apology to all the shareholders, because I think I have underachieved in my job for the past quarter,” he said.
However, the 2020 financial report released by the company one month ago showed that it recorded more than 150 billion yuan in revenue and more than 7 billion yuan in net profit last year.
In the financial report, SF Express attributed the loss to five reasons. In order to expand new business, the company increased the investment in fast express, intra-city urgent delivery and warehouse network construction.
In response to the rapid growth of express delivery starting in the fourth quarter of last year, the company began to invest more in transfer station automation, express processing scale, sites and equipment, resulting in an increase in amortization and depreciation costs this year. At the same time, temporary resources the company invested to cope with the business peak before the Spring Festival led to an increase in costs.
SF Express exhausted overlapping resources in the initial stage of network convergence, which led to the soaring costs.
During last year’s Spring Festival holiday, the Chinese government encouraged people to stay put rather than travel across the country to meet family and friends. To meet the heightened demands of e-commerce platforms and customers during the festival, SF Express increased the number of on-the-job personnel such as dispatchers, warehouse keepers and transit operators, and also provided subsidies for them, resulting in massive bills.
Later, the growth rate in online orders that need to be finished in a specific time slowed down, while the order of economical express products grew rapidly.
In addition, SF Express announced that Wu Weiting resigned as the firm’s chief financial officer, deputy general manager and member of the board’s audit committee, citing personal reasons. Although she is still a member of the board, the company offered her another post — the capital operation consultant of the logistics industrial park.
Competition in the express delivery industry is fierce, with a range of Internet giants having eyed the market for a long time. Jack Ma made it clear three years ago that Cainiao, a community and campus-oriented logistics service platform, would reduce the cost of socialized logistics, which accounts for 15% of China’s GDP, to less than 5%.
J&T Express, a Southeast Asia-based express delivery company, argued earlier this year that it expends less than one yuan per order. On April 9, due to price dumping, J&T Express and Baishi Express were ordered by Yiwu Postal Administration to shut down a set of distribution centers.
In fact, the price war has never been far away from the express delivery industry. According to Sina Finance, the income per order of Shentong Express and Yunda Express began to decline from the beginning of 2020, while Yuantong Express’ profit from each order has been decreasing since 2017.
According to a report released by SF Express Holding on Tuesday, its income from every order in March was 15.74 yuan, down 12.12% year-on-year. The price decrease lasted for 22 months.
Facing a rough beginning to 2021 and harsh competition within the market, SF Express expects to improve its capacity utilization rate and network operation efficiency through network convergence, resource integration, automatic capacity upgrading and other measures in the second half of this year.


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To celebrate Gucci Mane’s partnership with Reebok along with the launch of his latest Workout Plus EG sneaker, the Atlanta rapper will be holding a meet-and-greet in New York City.
The Workout Plus event will be held at the Reebok Union Square store on Friday, November 10 between 4:30-6pm. and will feature a host of dope activations to go along with it. A fully decked out photo booth with customized shoebox backdrop will be on site for guests to take selfies as well as a swag giveaway.
Limited edition tote bags filled with autographed copies of Gucci’s autobiography will be given to the first 50 Workout Plus sneaker purchases so if you’re a diehard Gucci fan, you won’t want to miss this special event. You'll also be able to cop the Workout Plus EG at Reebok's website now.
In other news, get a behind the scenes look at how Gucci’s first Reebok campaign went down.


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The first four Porsche electric chargers have now been installed at the Radisson Blu five-star hotel in Larnaca, offering electric and hybrid car owners the opportunity to charge their vehicles with the quality and prestige of Porsche!
Remaining loyal to its sustainability principles, A.I. Motokinisi Group, the exclusive Porsche dealer in Cyprus, actively supports the expansion of the alternative power grid for vehicles with the installation of state-of-the-art, high-power speed-chargers from Porsche.
According to Pavlina Iacovidou, Marketing & PR Manager of A.I. Motokinisi Group, a total of around 25 electric car chargers are expected to be installed by the end of 2021 in 8 different popular locations throughout Cyprus, as part of the global "Porsche Destination Charging" program, where more than 1,000 chargers have already been installed throughout Europe and 900 more will be added by the end of the year!
Porsche offers a range of hybrid models as well as its first purely electric sports car, the Porsche Taycan, which won the World Luxury Car and World Performance Car awards in 2020. It is a four-door sports saloon, offering Porsche’s high performance and connectivity in everyday use.
Electrification, after all, is one of Porsche's priorities, as announced by the German manufacturer as part of its official announcements on the brand’s financial results and its future prospects.
According to Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, by 2025 one in two new Porsche vehicles will have an electric motor, while 80% of its sales will involve purely electric vehicles in 2030.
In his relevant statements, he was clear: “Battery is the engine cylinder of the future, so we will invest in high voltage and density batteries in the future.”
A.I. Motokinisi Group is the exclusive Porsche dealer in Cyprus with showrooms in Nicosia and Limassol.


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Kenda to make truck tires TAIPEI, Taiwan—Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. plans to add its first production capacity for truck and bus tires this year at a plant in mainland China.
Local media in Taiwan reported that the project is a joint venture between Kenda and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., but Cooper officials denied that is the case.
Kenda will spend $15.5 million to set up a new production line at its 6-year-old factory in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province.
Another Taiwanese tire maker, Nankang Rubber Tire Corp. Ltd., plans to spend nearly $19 million to add capacity for radial truck and bus tires as its factory in Hsinchu, China, while a third company, Hwa Fong Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., also is considering expanding into medium truck/bus tire production.
China to boost tire output
AKRON—Vehicle tire production in China is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 9.0 percent, from 106.5 million units this year to 150.3 million by the end of 2003, according to a study by Smithers Scientific Services Inc.
The Akron-based research company projected the following annual production increases for individual tire categories within this total group: passenger tires, 7.7 percent; light truck tires, 5.4 percent; truck and bus tires, 3.5 percent; farm tires, 12.1 percent; and motorcycle tires, 3.6 percent.
Titled The Tire and Rubber Products Industry in China, 1999-2003, the study also predicts that sales in China of motorized vehicles, including motorcycles, will increase 3.8 percent annually, from 13.6 million to 15.8 million, during the same four-year period.


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Acadian Fine Foods LLC is recalling 17,000 pounds of pork and chicken stews because labels don't list whey and soy as ingredients. Some people are allergic to those substances. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall Friday.
A new report shows 200 people who dined at one of Las Vegas' most popular restaurants about a block off the Strip have reported food poisoning symptoms, making it the largest outbreak southern Nevada health officials have seen in at least a decade.
A dairy company is voluntarily recalling ice cream produced in Winston-Salem and distributed to 10 states that don't identify possible allergens because the product is packed in the wrong containers. Dairy Fresh said Thursday it's recalling some IGA Brand Vanilla and Chocolate in a 1.75 quart package because it's really Heavenly Hash ice cream that may contain almonds, coconut and soy.
A Food and Drug Administration investigation into the safety of caffeine-added foods has prompted Wrigley to take its new caffeinated gum off the market for the time being. Wrigley said Wednesday that it will temporarily halt sales and marketing of Alert caffeinated gum after discussions with the FDA.
FDA is announcing the availability of an updated guide designed to help ensure that raw oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops offered in the U.S. market are safe to eat. The guide, entitled the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish: 2011 Revision, was developed by the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference with FDA concurrence.
According to new reports released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), incidences of campylobacter, commonly contracted from poultry and raw milk, are on the rise.
Manda Fine Meats' deli and specialty meat products are returning to store shelves this weekend. The Baton Rouge meat packing company said in a news release that it expects distribution to be near normal within a few weeks, The Advocate reported.
Nestle Pizza Co. of Little Chute is recalling four frozen-pizza products that might be contaminated with plastic fragments. The USDA says one consumer reported a chipped tooth after biting into one of the California Pizza Kitchen products. The problem was apparently related to the spinach in the pizza, so the company is recalling other pizza products that used the same lot of spinach.
After a new food safety law only vaguely increased food safety regulations in China, a new scandal involving nearly 1,000 suspects is rocking the country. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has announced that rat and fox meat has been fraudulently sold as lamb.
An upstate New York company is recalling a mozzarella cheese product because it contains soy, which isn't listed on the label and could cause allergic reactions. Formaggio Italian Cheese Specialties of Sullivan County says it's recalling about 234 pounds of fresh mozzarella with chorizo and cilantro products sold in New York and New Jersey.
The CDC survey suggests that about 1 in 20 U.S. children have food allergies. That's a 50 percent increase from the late 1990s. For eczema and other skin allergies, it's 1 in 8 children, an increase of 69 percent. It found no increase, however, in hay fever or other respiratory allergies.
Chinese police have broken up a criminal ring accused of taking meat from rats and foxes and selling it as lamb in the country's latest food safety scandal. The Ministry of Public Security released results of a three-month crackdown on food safety violators, saying in a statement that authorities investigated more than 380 cases and arrested 904 suspects.
In this Sunday, May 29, 2011 file photo, Jeff Glazer guides his allergy-sniffing dog, Riley, through a dugout of a ball field before his team's baseball game in Middlebury, Conn. Riley accompanies Jeff to ensure there are no peanut products or residue that could trigger his life-threatening allergic reactions.
Food processing and packaging equipment is complex and multi-faceted, often with difficult-to-reach areas that can house biofilms and food soils that may result in microbiological hazards. Hidden surfaces lead to inadequate sanitation if not properly addressed, but those are not the only danger zones.
California has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other food retailers, manufacturers and distributors, alleging the companies are selling lead-tainted ginger and plum candies without warning labels, as required by state law.
Tucked away in Pascoag, R.I., Daniele Inc. is using innovative technology to extend shelf-life, ensure food safety and expand the reach of its sausage products to a growing base of consumers. The company is employing high pressure processing to heighten food safety in its facilities.
A security official says that Egyptian authorities are investigating a new case of food poisoning at Al-Azhar, Cairo's centuries-old seat of Sunni Muslim learning. The official says the investigation opened Tuesday. Some 160 university students fell sick after a tuna meal on Monday, sparking protests by colleagues angry over the quality of basic services in the university hostel, the official said.
A trendy Las Vegas tapas restaurant that's racked up hundreds of rave reviews on the website Yelp is closed after more than three dozen patrons reported food poisoning symptoms. Southern Nevada Health District officials said the flagship Firefly restaurant on Paradise Road was shuttered Friday and will remain closed while they run tests to try to determine the source of the outbreak.
The Director General of the European Consumers' Organisation discusses food safety and consumer retail fraud in the wake of the horsemeat labeling scandal. She reminds consumers to be vigilant regarding food safety, especially at a time when food processors may be lowering food safety standards as a way to cope with the economic crisis in Europe.
Canada's beef industry is about to ask the federal government to approve the use of irradiation in meat-processing plants to kill dangerous E. coli bacteria in a full range of meat products. The Canadian Cattlemen's Association says it is updating an application that was first made to Health Canada in 1998 for ground beef, but was turned down because of public concerns.
Cucumbers from Mexico have been linked to 73 U.S. cases of salmonella across 18 states, and the FDA has halted imports from the Mexican company thought to be responsible. Though no one has died from this outbreak, 20 people have been hospitalized.
China's state news agency says one person died and 20 others were sickened after a chef mistakenly added pesticide instead of a sauce as he was making lunch. Xinhua News Agency said in a brief dispatch Thursday that the chef was among those who fell ill after eating the lunch at a construction site in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
As the Food Safety Modernization Act continues to be implemented, more regulations and guidelines will be focused on food defense and the prevention of intentional contamination events. Many resources are being released by both the FDA and industry to help food manufacturers improve their food defense strategies.
An analysis of more than 33,000 cases of foodborne illness shows that ground beef and chicken have caused more hospitalizations than other meats. The report by the Center for Science in Public Interest says chicken nuggets, ham and sausage pose the lowest risk of foodborne illness.
Facing rising operational costs and growing awareness of consumer food safety, growers and companies are under increased pressure to improve efficiency and increase customer satisfaction and safety. Food traceability solutions are particularly imperative to meeting these needs while containing cost.